Bridge Webpage for Secure Remote Printer Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems face challenges in allowing carriers secure remote access to consignor/shipper printers, which is essential for printing shipping labels, due to stringent internet security measures that block unsecure and non-encrypted connections.
Innovation Solution
The system facilitates secure remote access by using a secure encrypted connection for initial communication and then switching to an unencrypted connection via a bridge webpage to provide instructions to the printer in its native command language, enabling carriers to print shipping labels according to their rules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a secure encrypted connection is used for remote access, then network security is improved, but carrier access to printers is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bridge webpage as an intermediary component that mediates between the secure carrier interface and the local printer. The bridge webpage receives secure encrypted instructions from the carrier's web application and translates them into native printer commands, allowing secure remote access without direct carrier-to-printer connections
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the communication process into distinct layers: a secure web-based interface for carrier interaction, a bridge webpage for protocol translation, and native printer command execution. This segmentation allows each layer to operate with appropriate security measures while maintaining overall system functionality
2Object-affected harmful factors
If internet security measures are enforced, then network vulnerabilities are reduced, but printer accessibility is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of connection security by using secure encrypted connections for high-level communication (carrier to bridge) and unencrypted connections for low-level device communication (bridge to printer). This parameter change allows the system to maintain security where needed while enabling device compatibility elsewhere
3Reliability
If secure encrypted connections are used throughout, then data security is improved, but device compatibility is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different security qualities to different parts of the system: secure encrypted connections are applied to the carrier-facing interface and data transmission, while unencrypted connections are used locally at the printer interface. This local quality differentiation maintains data security while ensuring device compatibility
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products for facilitating remote access of customer computing entities in a secure environment. In one embodiment a method is provided comprising providing, by a first user computer entity and through a first window displaying a first webpage in a browser, a request for instruction for a particular device, the instructions being in a native command language of the particular device, wherein the request is provided over a first secure encrypted connection using a first protocol, receiving, the instructions over the first secure encrypted connection using the first protocol, initiating a bridge webpage, the bridge webpage being initiated in a second window in the browser, wherein the first window and the second window are in communication, and wherein the first page belongs to a first domain different from a second domain to which the second page belongs.